Portable kit for mixing and dispensing compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a portable kit that includes a tray having disposed therein at least two compartments containing reactive components of a coating composition, the compartments being sealed with a single cover or wherein each said compartment is sealed with a discreet cover; and a spatula positioned across an exposed face of said tray. The portable kit is suitable for use in repairing minor automotive coating defects, such as chipped, scratched, cracked, delaminated, etched and marred areas on automotive bodies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/802,420 filed on May 22, 2006 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable kit used for mixing anddispensing compositions, such as coating compositions having at leasttwo chemically reactive components and more particularly to the kitsused in repairing minor coating defects on auto vehicle bodies.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Auto vehicles, such as cars or trucks, during transport to autodealerships can be subjected to minor damages that result in minorcoating defects, such as small portions of coatings on auto bodies beingchipped, scratched, cracked, delaminated, etched and marred. Similarminor defects can also result over time when auto vehicles are drivenunder various road conditions.

Repairing of such minor defects by auto vehicles paint shops can be timeconsuming and expensive for a typical auto vehicle owner since autoinsurance companies generally do not reimburse auto vehicle owners forsuch minor repairs. To minimize the cost of such repairs, automanufacturers or auto dealers have offered auto vehicle owners vials orapplicators containing a small quantities of auto paint that is matchedto the paint applied over auto bodies. The auto owner can then repairsuch minor defects by applying the matched paint over the minor defects.Since most auto vehicle owners are not familiar with applying paint overauto bodies, the resulting repair may not provide visually acceptableappearance. Moreover, such a process is not feasible for two componentenamel auto paints or for auto paints that contain metallic flakes.

Therefore, a need still exits for a portable and preferably disposableauto paint repair kit that allows auto owner or small shop auto serviceprovider to repair the aforedescribed minor paint defects expeditiouslyand at relatively low cost.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable kit comprising:

-   -   (a) a tray having disposed therein at least two compartments        containing reactive products, said compartments being sealed        with a single cover or wherein each said compartment is sealed        with a discreet cover; and    -   (b) a spatula positioned across an exposed face of said tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

FIG. 1 broadly illustrates one of the embodiments of the kit of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the kit of FIG. 1 taken alongcross-sectional lines 2-2.

FIG. 3 represents a spatula used in the kit of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another embodiment of a cover used in the kit of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of means for holding the tray of the kit ofthe present invention

FIG. 6 another embodiment of compartments used to store the componentused in the composition of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED THE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 illustrates one of the embodiments of a portable kit 1 of thepresent invention. The portable kit is used to store at least twochemically reactive components of a coating composition used to repairminor defects on the painted surfaces of vehicles, such as automobiles,as well as any other components such as solvents and catalysts.

kit 1 includes a tray 2 having at least two compartments 4 and 5 locatedon an exposed surface 16 of tray 2, which is preferably substantiallyplanar. These compartments are preferably an integral part of exposedsurface 16 of tray 2. Compartments can be provided with shapes suitableand necessary to store various components of a coating composition usedfor repair vehicles. For example, compartment 4 has a dish shape andcompartment 5 has a cup shape. These shapes are dictated by the type ofcomponent of a coating composition being stored. For example, if acomponent is viscous, a dish shape may be more suitable since it shouldbe easier to scoop out the material stored in a dish shape during useand if a component is liquid, a cup shape may be more suitable to reducespillage. In its preferred embodiment, it is envisioned that the coatingcomposition stored in compartments 4 and 5 preferably includes oneviscous component 8 and one liquid component 9 wherein viscous component8 is preferably stored in compartment 4 and liquid component 9 ispreferably stored in compartment 5. Tray 2 preferably includes acompartment 6, which is preferably cup shaped suitable for storing amixture of solvent 10.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a compartment 11 inthe form of a recess positioned on surface 16 of tray 2 could beemployed to position a bottle 13 containing a mixture of solvents. Inaddition, yet another compartment can be provided to store a requisiteamount of a color component containing conventional pigment, dye,metallic flakes or other conventional additives used to provide adesired color to a coating composition. Such a color component generallymatches to the color of the coating present on the rest of the body ofthe vehicle being repaired. Alternatively, the color component can beincluded in components 8 or 9 of the coating composition.

In another embodiment, portable kit 1 can include four compartments,wherein first of the aforedescribed compartment contains a crosslinkablereactive component of the coating composition, second compartmentcontains a crosslinking reactive component of the coating composition,third compartment contains the color component of the coatingcomposition and fourth compartment contains a solvent mixture.

Tray 2 is generally made of a material that does not react with thecomponents of the coating composition during storage. Some of thesuitable material can include a thermoplastic resin selected from thegroup consisting of polyvinyl chlorides, polypropylenes, polyethylenes,polystyrenes, a combination of polypropylene/ethylene-vinylalcohol/(EVOH)/polypropylene, a combination of polyethylene/polyethyleneterephthalate, and a combination of polystyrene/EVOH/polyethylene. Tray2 can be suitably made by conventional manufacturing methods such asthermoforming or injection molding. The thickness of tray 2 can bereduced to decrease cost without sacrificing its rigidity and bystrength by preferably providing a peripheral skirt 32. Additionally aperipheral ledge 34 along the edge of skirt 32 can be employed tofurther improve the rigidity and structural strength tray 2 whilefurther reducing the thickness of tray 2.

Tray 2 can be provided with a depressed area 30 for user to positioningthumb of a user to thereby facilitate gripping of tray 2 during use.Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5, tray 2 can be provided with anopening 30A for passing thumb of a user there through to facilitate thegripping of tray 2 during use.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, compartment 4 containing component 8 andcompartment 5 containing component 9 are protected with discreet covers12A and 12B, respectively. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5 compartment4 containing component 8 and compartment 5 containing component 9 can beprotected with a single cover 12. Covers 12A, 12B or 12 are preferablyconventional heat sealed aluminum foils. Alternatively, these covers canbe glued with conventional adhesives. Exposed surface 16 of tray 2 ispreferably provided with a peripheral lip 20 to prevent accidentalspillage of components 8 and 9 when covers 12A, 12B or 12 are removed orwhen components 8 and 9. Covers 12A, 12B or 12 are preferably providedwith lift tabs 18A and 18, respectively to facilitate expeditiousremoval said covers.

In practice, the user removes covers 12A, 12B or 12 and then mixes thecomponents 8 and 9 of the coating composition either in one of thecompartments 4 or 5 or on exposed surface 16 to form a pot mix, whichtypically has a limited pot life ranging for few minutes to few hours.Thereafter, the pot mix either hardens into an unusable mass or therepaired area resulting from such a pot mix would have unacceptablecoatings properties, such as adhesion to the underlying surface. Thus,to produce an acceptable quality repair, the pot mix must be appliedbefore the pot mix loses its potency. Therefore, it is would be veryhelpful to provide the user with ready-to-use tools required to do arepair of acceptable quality. As shown in FIG. 1, the portable kit ofthe present invention includes a spatula 14

Therefore, portable kit, which is preferably disposable, also includestools required to do a repair of acceptable quality. As seen in FIG. 1,kit 1 includes a spatula 14 positioned across exposed face 16 of tray 2.Spatula 14 is an elongated member preferably having a spoon shape at oneend for scooping liquid and preferably having a substantially flatflexible blade at the other end to facilitate mixing of the variouscomponents of the coating composition to form the pot mix and properspreading as well as smoothening of the pot mix when applied over thecoating defect. Spatula 14 can be injection molded from any suitablematerial, such as resin, which is preferably non-reactive with thevarious components of the coating composition. Alternatively, spatula 14can even be a conventional mixing stick generally made of wood. FIG. 3shows a more elaborate spatula 14A, which has a substantially flatflexible blade 28 at one end for the purposes discussed above and aconventional squeegee 36 at the other. Squeegee 36 assists the user fromremoving any excess solvent applied over the repaired area. Exposed face16 is preferably provided with recesses 22 A and 22 B to advantageouslysecure spatula 14 or 14 A during storage. If desired one or both ofrecesses 22 A and 22 B can be provided with at least one detent 24 inwhich a portion spatula 14 or 14 A can be snapped in recesses 22 A and22 B.

If desired, portable kit 1 can include an instruction sheet thatdescribes a mixing and application process for using portable kit 1.Such instructions are available in a co-pending commonly assigned patentapplication (Attorney Docket No FA-1330 USPRV) entitled “Repairing SmallCoating Defects” and having Ser. No. 60/792,826 filed on Apr. 18, 2006,which is incorporated herein by reference. If desired, portable kit 1can be shrink wrapped.

If desired, portable kit 1 of the present invention can be also used asa mixing kit for two component epoxy, polyurethane, silicone or acrylicadhesives.

1. A portable kit comprising: (a) a tray having disposed therein atleast two compartments containing reactive components of a coatingcomposition, said compartments being sealed with a single cover orwherein each said compartment is sealed with a discreet cover; and (b) aspatula positioned across an exposed face of said tray.
 2. The portablekit of claim 1 wherein said single cover or said discreet cover isprovided with a lift tab to facilitate removal of said cover.
 3. Theportable kit of claim 1 wherein said single cover or said discreet coveris a heat sealed aluminum foil.
 4. The portable kit of claim 1 whereinsaid exposed face of said tray is provided with a peripheral lip toprevent accidental spillage of said reactive components.
 5. The portablekit of claim 1 wherein said tray is provided with recesses to securesaid spatula to said tray.
 6. The portable kit of claim 5 wherein atleast one of said recesses is provided with at least one detent in whicha portion of said spatula can be snapped in said recess.
 7. The portablekit of claim 1 wherein at least one of said reactive products is in aviscous form.
 8. The portable kit of claim 1 or 7 wherein one of saidcompartment is dish shaped.
 9. The portable kit of claim 1 wherein atleast one of said reactive products is in a liquid form.
 10. Theportable kit of claim 1 or 9 wherein one of said compartment is cupshaped.
 11. The portable kit of claim 1 wherein said spatula is anelongated member having a spoon at one end and a flat flexible blade atother end.
 12. The portable kit of claim 1 wherein said spatula is anelongated member having a squeegee at one end and a flat flexible bladeat other end.
 13. The portable kit of claim 1 wherein said tray isprovided with a depressed area for positioning thumb of a user tofacilitate gripping of said portable kit.
 14. The portable kit of claim1 wherein said tray is provided with an opening for passing thumb of auser through said opening to thereby facilitate gripping of saidportable kit.
 15. The portable kit of claim 1 wherein said tray isprovided with a peripheral skirt.
 16. The portable kit of claim 1further comprising a squeegee.
 17. The portable kit of claim 1 or 16comprising four said compartments, wherein first said compartmentcontains a crosslinkable reactive component, second said compartmentcontains a crosslinking reactive component and third said compartmentcontains a color component and fourth said compartment contains asolvent mixture.
 18. The portable kit of claim 17 wherein said kit is arepair kit for repairing automotive coating defects.
 19. The portablekit of claim 1 or 16 wherein said tray is shrink-wrapped.
 20. Theportable kit of claim 19 comprising an instruction sheet that describesa mixing process for using said portable kit.
 21. The portable kit ofclaim 1 or 16 wherein said tray is made of a thermoplastic resinselected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chlorides,polypropylenes, polyethylenes, polystyrenes, a combination ofpolypropylene/ethylene-vinyl alcohol/(EVOH)/polypropylene, a combinationof polyethylene/polyethylene terephthalate, and a combination ofpolystyrene/EVOH/polyethylene.
 22. The portable kit of claim 22 whereinsaid tray is made by a thermoforming or injection molding process. 23.The portable kit of claim 1 comprising two said compartments, whereinfirst said compartment contains a crosslinkable reactive component andsecond said compartment contains a crosslinking reactive component. 24.The portable kit of claim 24 wherein said kit is a repair kit forrepairing automotive coating defects.
 25. The portable kit of claim 24wherein said kit is a mixing kit for two-component epoxy, polyurethane,silicone, or acrylic adhesives.